Ex- Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone controversially came out to Vladimir Putin’s defence last week, following the Russian leader’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
However, this isn’t the first time Ecclestone has spoken highly of President Putin, with the pair sharing a friendship that has spanned over a number of years.
Putin has been slammed across the world after declaring war on neighbouring Ukraine last week, however Ecclestone still spoke highly of the Russian leader.
Just a day after Russia ’s invasion the former F1 supremo described Putin as ‘honourable’, and seemingly refused to criticise his decision to start war in Eastern Europe.
Ecclestone told Times Radio: “As a person I found him [Putin] very straightforward and honourable.
“He did exactly what he said he was going to do without any arguments."
It seems that even in the midst of full-blown war Ecclestone remained loyal to his pal Putin, something he has done throughout their friendship, which blossomed following the introduction of the Russian Grand Prix in 2014.
The 91-year-old’s Putin loyalties were clear to see back in 2019, after Ecclestone revealed in an interview with The Times that he felt the Russian should be ‘running Europe’, and seemingly supported his anti-democracy ideology.
The ex-F1 boss said: “He's a good guy. He's never done anything that isn't doing good things for people.
“I would like him running Europe. We haven't got anybody, so it couldn't be any worse.
What do you make of Ecclestone and Putin's relationship? Let us know in the comments section below.
“He does what he says he is going to do... I am not a supporter of democracy. You need a dictator.
"As a dictator, you say, 'This is what I'm going to do'. In a democracy, it gets watered down."
These claims only backed up comments Ecclestone has previously revealed after already putting the Russian leader forward as Europe’s main man, as well as describing him as a ‘first-class person’ two years earlier.
In 2017 he told the Financial Times : “Honestly, I think the guy who should be running Europe, impressed me more than anything, is Mr Putin because he’s a guy that says he’s going to do something and does it . . . [He’s] a first-class person.”
Ecclestone’s most remarkable pro-Putin comment though came in his interview with The Times three years ago, when the 91-year-old went as far to say he would to a bullet for his Russian friend.
He commented: “If someone had a machine gun and was prepared to shoot Putin, I would stand in front of him.
“Because he's a good guy. He's never done anything that isn't doing good things for people."
